What is a dermatologic surgeon?

Part of a progressive medical subspecialty, ASDS member dermatologists perform medically necessary and cosmetic procedures to improve the health, function and beauty of skin through every stage of life.

From forehead furrows to frown lines…

Performing more than 5 million cosmetic procedures each year, ASDS member dermatologists offer many treatments that are less intense, safer and have quicker recovery times than ever before.

1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every year

Any suspicious new growths or changes should be examined by a dermatologist immediately. ASDS member dermatologists are trained to select the best treatment choice based on the individual patient.

Virginia-based dermatologic surgeon and former collegiate soccer player Ian Maher, M.D., F.A.A.D., couldn’t get past the irony that the sport he loves could pose a health risk to young people by contributing to a rise in skin cancer.

That conundrum led Maher – a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) – to develop Sun Safe Soccer, a skin cancer prevention initiative that encourages coaches to create a culture of sun protection in soccer.

With 18 million participants nationwide (14 million under the age of 18), soccer is one of the most-played sports in the United States. The growth of soccer has been so dramatic that the United States now has more players than in any other country in the world.

Maher himself played competitive soccer throughout his youth and at Charleston Catholic High School in Charleston, W.V., and Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. Despite soccer’s obvious health benefits, Maher – an assistant professor of dermatology at Virginia Commonwealth University – also saw the statistics that 1 in 5 Americans suffer from skin cancer in their lifetimes, and that most sun damage is done before the age of 18.

“We have to balance the fact that soccer is a great physical activity for our children with the fact that sun exposure early in life is the leading cause of skin cancer in adulthood,” Maher said. “Ultimately, we want to make soccer the most sun-safe outdoor sport in America. By putting player safety and public health at the forefront of the sport, we can educate people about the risk of sun exposure and skin cancer, hopefully reducing the number of melanoma and other skin cancers in the soccer community.” ¬

Sun Safe Soccer grew out of Maher’s experience with the Future Leaders Network, an ASDS leadership development initiative for young and mid-career professionals to prepare them to become the next generation of leaders in dermatologic surgery. Starting as a pilot program in Virginia in 2010, Sun Safe Soccer has spread through Wisconsin, Washington and Arizona and sprouted up in California, Missouri and West Virginia as well.

At its core, Sun Safe Soccer seeks to empower soccer coaches to encourage their players to engage in safe sun habits.

“Coaches are natural leaders and habit builders, and kids often are more likely to listen to their coach than their parents or even their doctors,” Maher said. “Sun Safe Soccer seeks to capitalize on that. The first step is to teach soccer coaches about skin cancer prevention. The next step is for the coaches to share that knowledge with their players.”

Coaches can teach sun safety using two simple steps, Maher said. Before the game, players should apply sunscreen first and then put on shinguards (because sunscreen works best when it’s applied 15 minutes before exercising). After the game, have players cool down in a shady spot and cover up by wearing a hat or a long-sleeved shirt.

“We have the opportunity with Sun Safe Soccer to tell parents that their children will be better protected from sun damage and skin cancer while playing soccer,” Maher said. “I think every parent can appreciate that message.”

Part of Sun Safe Soccer’s success is how easy it is to get involved, Maher said. Coaches can sign up their teams online at asds.net/Sun-Safe-Soccer, where they also can download free educational handouts for parents.

Maher was invited to speak about Sun Safe Soccer at the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America convention in January, where he shared podium time with John O’Brien, a skin cancer survivor and star of the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2002 World Cup.

Maher currently is teaming up with Virginia Commonwealth University’s nationally ranked men’s soccer team for a series of Sun Safe Soccer clinics. He hopes to organize up to 25 outreach clinics over the next year. Meanwhile, companies are encouraged to sponsor tents displaying their logo, the ASDS logo and Sun Safe Soccer logo that will be used to provide shade for local soccer program participants. More information is available at asds.net/Sun-Safe-Soccer.

ASDS is recognized as the premier specialty group representing dermatologists performing all procedures – cosmetic, general, reconstructive and Mohs. ASDS members are experts in treating skin and soft tissue with surgical and non-surgical methods.